Skiing: Ghedina matches Klammer's feat

Italy's Kristian Ghedina equalled a record set by Franz Klammer yesterday as he won the men's World Cup downhill at Val Gardena.

Ghedina, the winner of downhills there in 1997, 1999 and 2000, won in two minutes, 01.47 seconds, matching Klammer's victories at the Italian resort.

The 32–year–old said: "I'm always very proud and happy to win at home. I skied great today.

"Now that I've reached Klammer, I can go out and see if I can do it again tomorrow.

"But it's not as easy as eating a plate of spaghetti. You have to really fight hard to win."

Norway's Lasse Kjus, the 1999 World Cup overall champion, was runner–up in 2:01.63.

Kurt Sulzenbacher proved his second–place finish in Val d'Isere last week was no fluke, coming third in 2:02.20.

World Cup leader Stephan Eberharter of Austria, the winner of the season–opening downhill and super–G races last week, was fourth.